Signal blade



` April 7, 1925.

B. F. LoLLls SIGNAL BLADE Find Nov. 25, '1921 .2 .2f

UNITED STATES isaers PATENT GFFlEl.

BENJAMIN r. LoLLS, on BRWYN, rLLrNors, AssIeNon or oNE-HALF To o'rTo s.FLATH, or oHIcAGo, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL BLADE.

Appneation fried November 25, 1921. serial No. 517,457.

To ZZ 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. LoLLrs, a citizen ot the United States,and a resident of Berwyn, in the county1 of Cool; Vand State ofillinois, have inventedr certain newk My invention relates to bladesespecially intended for use on semaphores for providing signals totrainmen along the right otl way, and more specifically statedappertains to the blade and method of securing it to the spectaclecasting of the 'semaphore or railway signal device, wherein thespectacle casting with its signal indicating means is pivotally mountedon a suitable standard or support and adapted to be operated, usually ata distance from the signal, by mechanically operated or electricallyactuated means.

In semaphore signals Vas usually constructed. a spectacle casting ispivotally mounted and provided with lenses of which there are generallythree in number, each oi' a diiierent color and artiiically lighted toprovide a night signal.

The spectacle casting is also provided to one side oit' its pivotalpoint, with a blade or arm ot suitable width and length which in turn isgivenv the desired color or Acolors I to enable the same to be discernedat a proper distance from the semaphore.

Signal blades or arms in thc past were made of wood and painteddifferent or the desired colors, such as red, green, yellow, etc., toprovide signals or indications to the trainnien; but theseA woodenblades have ot more recent years been supplanted by steel blades ofdiiierent types because of their greater longevity. Steel blades, inorder to be suitable for outdoor use to withstand the elements, areusually provided,v

after proper preparation, with enamel applied in various `colors wherebythe signal blade will give a brighter and clearer indication than wasthe case with theA wooden blade, while at the same time obviating thenecessity for repeated painting and therefore eliminating the expenseand labor incurred in changing the blades heretofore necessary whenrepainting was required; while on the other hand enameled blades may becleaned with a suitable washing compound Without requiring removal ofthe blade. Difiiculty has been encountered in the use of steel blades ofproper lightness, possessing the requisite strength and in providingthe' same with a suitable coating of enamel, when lprovided with anattaching bracket, due to expansion 4and contraction and also due to thecracking of the enamel and bending of the blades resulting from windpressure and the strains and jars encountere'd'in the swinging o' theblades dur-k ing operation of the semaphore.

My invention contemplates the provision of asignal blade formed topermit of varying degrees of expansion and contraction during` theenameling process and which will also be self reenforced; thereent'orcing being accomplished in such manner as to compensate for thejars and strains resulting during operation of the semaphore, while atthe same timey a more elastic action will be given to the blade andcracking of the enamel prevented.

The objects and advantages of my improved constructions will all be morereadily and fullycomprehended Jfrom the detailed description of theaccompanying drawing, wherein?- Figure l is a side elevation of myimproved blade shown secured to a spectacle casting. y

Figure 2 is a cross ysectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l asindicated.l

Figure 3 is a side elevation ol a. modified form.

Figure i is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View, in per spective, of another modificationoi' the invention. Y

Inthe particular exempliication ot the invention as disclosed in Figures1 and 2, 10 represents a well known type of spectacle casting employedwith semaphores and providedwith a number of colored lenses at 11adapted to be illuminated for night signaling. The spectacle castingiseprovided with a shaft-receiving aperture at 12 arranged so that thespectacle casting will oscillate with the shaft when the latter Visactuated, either by suitable mechanically operated mechanism or byelectrically controlled means, usually arranged at a point removed fromthe signal. The spectacle casting terminates usuallylin au arm orportion 13 disposed radially from the axis of the shaft-receivingopening 12, as shown in Figure 1; the arm or portionll usually beingflanged along theY longitudinal top and bottom edges as shown at 14, andat suitable points provided with fastening means receiving apertures asdisclosed and hereinafter' described.

My improved blade 15, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,"is formed ofsuitable Ysheet metal of desired length and width and provided withchannels 16, extending longitudinally from end to end of the blade, ary

ranged to provide the intermediate Yraised portion or rib 17 and theraised portions or ribs 18, 18 extending adjacent to the longitudinaledges ofV the blade; the immediate longitudinal edges being preferablybeaded or flanged as at 19, 19 for the purpose of ad-` ditionallyreenforcing the same. The signal blades are usually made of increasingwidth toward one end of the blade, namely the outer or free end as shownin Figure 1. The channels 16, 16 are preferably disposed parallel withthe longitudinal edges of the blade, with the result that Vtheintermediate or rib portion 17 increases in width from the inner orattached end toward the enlarged or free end of the blade in Figure 1.

ln order to provide suitable means wherewith to secure the blade to thespectacle casting, I provide a bracket 20, preferably of sheet metalchanneled intermediate of its sides to such an extent and invertedrela-tive to the blade that the base of the dale or channel of thebracket will come flush with the rear side of the channel portions 16,16 of the blade, the bracket 20 being preferably welded into place, bysuitable welding or otherwise at points adjacent to opposite sides ofthe channel. i'With the bracket 20.secured to the rear side of the bladeat the places indicated at 21, 21, it will be seen that. the rib-portion17 of the blade is disposed intermediate of the points where the bracketis secured to the blade and is therefore in raised relation therewith.In practice, the bracket 20 is welded or properly secured in place onthe rear side of the blade before the latter is enameled. With thechannels in the blade extending from end to end and disposed on oppositesides of the fastening points 21, means are provided which willcompensate for the differences in expansion and contraction of the bladeandybracket encountered when the two members are going through theenameling process. llt the same time a blade is provided which will bereenforced .throughoutY its length and which will present a relativelysmooth enameled surface free from boltheads or rivets ou the forwardface thereof; the channels being of comparative width, presentingsubstantiallyl wide fiat surfaces provided with the desired colors forsignal. indication` The channeled formation of the blade reenforces thelatter throughout its length against wind pressure; enables a blade oflighter material to be employed, while at the same time eliminating thepossibilities of enamel fractureY and scaling whichV otherwise would beencountered.

The laterally disposed sides 22, 22 of the bracket member 20 are adaptedto extend flush with the extension or arm 13 of the spectacle casting10, with the edges of the sides 22 preferably shown in abutting relationwiththe flanges of theV spectacle casting, whereby the bracket 2O withthe blade 15 will be firmly held'against vertical movement relative YVtothe arm 13 of the spectacle casting. The laterally disposed sides 22 ofthe bracket 2O are provided with a suitable number of openingsVY for thepassage of the bolts 23 which pass .through registering apertures in theportion 13 of the spectacle casting as shown in Figure 2, thereby firmlysecuring the blade 15, through the medium of its bracket 20, to thespectacle castin while leaving the blade with, b-roken exterior surface.

In Figures 3 and 4; I illustrate a modification, wherein the spectaclecasting 10 is identical with that disclosed in Figure 1. while thesignal blade 24 is formed to provide a longitudinal channel 25 at thelongitudinal center line of the blade, namely in- Y g; a clear oruntermediate of the raised portions or ridges- 26, 26; with thelongitudinal edges 27, 27 of the blade being shown disposed insubstantially the same horizontal plane as the base portion of thechannel 25.y The immediate longitudinal edges of the blade arepreferably beaded orvfianged downwardly or rearwardly at 28substantially similar to the heading' or Hanging 19 disclosed in Fig ure2. The blade 24 is secured to the arm 13 of the spectacle casting bymeans of a channeled member or bracket 2O similar in construction to thebracket 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, ixcept that in this constructionthe bracket 20 extends flush with the end of the intermediate channel 25of the blade, to which portion it /ii's Ipreferably suitably welded asindicated at the points 21, in order that a smooth unbroken sur faceonthe forward side of the blade may be provided. n

ln the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4, the channel 25 is made ofdecreasing width toward the' outerl or free end of the blade, wherebythe blade is more pronounccdly reenforced at the point of kattachmentand therefore at the point where it is subjected to the greateststrains. The blade 2e, lilie the blade l5, permits 'of the varyingdegrees of expansion and Vcontraction during the enameling process afterthe bracket is attached, without causing a fracture or cracking of theenamel, andthe blade is reenforced throughout its length not onlyagainst wind pressure but also against the strains encountered duringoperation of the signal in overcoming' the inertia resulting during itsoscillatory upward and downward movements.

My invention permits metallic blades of comparatively light weight to beemployed, with the result that a considerable saving` of batteryconsumption where electrical means for operation are employed, isobtained and a reduction of operating expense prorided; while a` lesserexpenditure of energy is required where the signal is mechanicallyoperated. Furthermore, the possibility of enamel fracture and scalingwill be entirely eliminated. It has been found in practice that thecomparatively large channels and more particularly the central channel,give the plate greater elasticity, whereay cracking of tie enamel isprevented and which at the same time will compensate for the jarsencountered during the operation of the semaphore.

In Figure 5 I show a portion of a spectacle arm and the adjacent end ofa blade with means for securing the same in place, illustrating anothermodification of my in- `rention, wherein the blade 29, like thepreviously described blades, is also formed of sheet metal, providedwith a corrugation or channel as at disposed along the longitudinalcenter line throughout a major portion of the bla-de; leaving the bladeat one cud, adjacent to its longitudinal edges, with the flat portionsat 31, 3l adapted to extend flush with the arm or projection 13 of thespectacle casting; while the .immediate longitudinal edges, at a pointforward of where its abuts against the arml-l of the spectacle Lastingand on to the outer end of the blade, are preferably beaded or hanged asintithe previously described constructions, to assist the centralchannel in reenforcing the blade throughout its length. In theconstruction shown in Figure 5., the blade 29 is secured in place bymeans of a clasp 32, channeled intermediate of its longitudinal edges tocorv respond with the central channel 30 of the blade and to titthereabout as shown in Figure 5, while the sides of the clasp 32 as wellas the two side portions 31 of the blade are apertured for the passageof suitablefastening members or bolts 33 whereby the blade with itsclasp is secured in place. -It is prefeil-able, where the constructionshown in Figinvention are better adapted to withstantl the elementsbecause of the enameled surfaces, whereby the indicating colors may bemore brightly and clearly presented; while the enameled surfaceeliminates the necessity for repeated painting and obviates the laborheretofore required in changing the blades for repainting; Whereas withmy improved blade a properly enameled surface may be obtained, free fromfractures or scaling and therefore a blade of greater longevity andwhichmay be washed or cleaned without removing' the blade.

I have shown and described my invention in various embodiments whichhave been described in terms employed merely as terms of description andnot as terms of limitation, as certain structural modifications arepossible and may be made without, however, departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

l. A signal blade, composed of sheet metal provided with rigidifyingsurfaces tending' along the longitudinal axis and adjacent thelongitudinal edges and extending throughout the length of the sheet toconstitute a self-supporting blade, the rigidifying and intermediatesurfaces being substantially flat and of comparative width.

2. A signal blade composed of sheet metal provided with rigidifyingsurfaces along the longitudinal axis and adjacent to the longitudinaledges of the sheet to constitute a self supporting blade, and a bracketmember of comparatively thin metal, channeled intermediate of its sides,with the intermediate channeled portion formed to provide acomparatively wide flat surface Aadapted to extend flush with thedepressed fiat surface of the blade intermediate of the longitudinaledges thereof and integrally secured to the blade to provide animperforatc front surface, the rigidifying surfaces at the longitudinalaxis of the blade increasing in width toward one end of the blade, withthe points of attachment between the blade and the bracket member beingarranged to coinpensate for differences in expansion and contractionbetween the blade and the bracket member.

3. A signal blade composed of sheet metal provided with longitudinallydisposed rigidifying surfaces at the longitudinal axis and adjacent tothe longitudinal edges thereof to provide a self supporting blade, theintermediate rigidifying surface ing surfaces of the blade whereby thelatter tapering toward 011e end of the blade, while 1s secured 1n placeand an imperforzrte front all of the rigidifying and intermediatesurfnceprovided. l0 facesv are substantially flat and of compara-BENJAMIN'F. LOL-LIS,

tive Width,V and fastening means formed t0 VVitnesSes:

provide a Wide Hat bearing Surface adapted Gr. HEIDMAN,

to cooperate with i portion of the rigidify- F. A. FLOBELL.

